I saw the film Maria last Saturday in our Cinema. It chronicles the last 7 days of Maria Callas life. I enjoyed it very much, although I do not understand Italian. But if you are an opera enthusiast, most of the Arias sang in Italian are well-known and the tune will be familiar. I enjoyed the sound and Cinematography specially the scene from Puccini, Madame Butterfly ( see review below) before Cio-Cio-San suicide.
Maria is a 2024 biographical psychological drama film directed by Pablo Larraín, written by Steven Knight, and is an international co-production between Italy, Germany, and the United States. The film stars Angelina Jolie as opera singer Maria Callas, and follows the seven days before her death in 1977 Paris as she reflects on her life and career.
It also stars Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, Stephen Ashfield, Valeria Golino, and Kodi Smit-McPhee in supporting roles. It is the third film in Larraín's trilogy of important 20th-century women, following Jackie (2016) and Spencer(2021).
The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2024, where it competed for the Golden Lion and received generally positive reviews from critics, who singled out Jolie's performance for praise. It was released in select theaters in the United States on November 27, 2024, before streaming on Netflix on December 11. It was theatrically released in Italy by 01 Distributionon January 1, 2025, before its release in Germany by StudioCanal on February 6. Here is one of the review that I concur 100%.
Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Maria is exceptionally successful. She not only embodies a woman with noble and elegant charm but also conveys the physical and emotional fragility endured by the protagonist before her death. The excessive use of medication causes her memory and hallucinations to intertwine, blurring the line between reality and imagination. She delivers complex and magnificent arias reminiscent of those sung by the Greek-American diva on Europe’s major opera stages.
The tragedy of this opera heroine, whose unparalleled voice brought her to the pinnacle of stage success, infused Puccini and Bellini’s classic works with vitality. However, in reality, she never had the chance to tell her story behind the scenes, away from the white glow of the spotlight. The director and screenwriter made every effort to captivate audiences with stunning visuals, exquisite production, and elegant costume design.
The film features collaborations with numerous European opera house choirs, creating unforgettable scenes. One such moment takes place on the large plaza outside the Museum of Modern Art in Paris, where Maria envisions the “Anvil Chorus” from Verdi’s Il Trovatore. Choir members descend from the grand platform near the Eiffel Tower toward Maria—a spectacular and awe-inspiring sight.
Another memorable scene involves Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Before Cio-Cio-San’s suicide, the setting appears to be outside a grand cathedral or opera house. A group of musicians dressed in white suits plays their instruments; soon, rain begins to fall, yet they continue playing, their music soaked in the downpour. Meanwhile, artists in bright pink Japanese kimonos, holding lanterns and red umbrellas, slowly converge from all directions on the square. Amidst the humming chorus from Madama Butterfly, Maria stands at the center, singing her final aria, “Un Bel Di” (One Fine Day). The overhead and panoramic camera angles capture breathtakingly beautiful visuals that, combined with the heart-wrenching music, leave the audience in tears, as if the rain on the screen mirrors their emotions. In my view, this is a masterpiece of cinematic artistry—unforgettable and deeply moving.
Another exquisite shot depicts Maria slowly exiting the opera house after an audition. The golden autumn sunlight bathes the earth, and the ground covered in sycamore leaves resembles a golden carpet. Each step she takes seems to crush not just the leaves but also the radiant, distant memories of her life: a dazzling career on stage, her former role as a shipping magnate’s beloved socialite, and her effortless grace and poise in the most fashionable gowns at elite gatherings.
Time flows like water, and her life, like a rose on the branch, inevitably withers. Though she can no longer recreate her glory on the opera stage, her every move still exudes an inimitable elegance. Whether clad in a perfectly tailored trench coat or a luxurious fur coat, her presence adds a touch of composure and dignity. Walking among the shadows of sycamore trees, Maria seems like a legend from the depths of time—belonging neither to the past nor replicable in the future. Unique and solitary, she is heartbreakingly beautiful, a vision that remains etched in memory, impossible to forget.
Critical response:
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 76% of 164 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The website's consensus reads: "Angelina Jolie unveils new highs within her emotional register in Pablo Larraín's Maria, keeping this tragic biopic compelling even when its theatrics go off-key. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 62 out of 100, based on 48 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
The film received an eight-minute standing ovation at the Sala Grande Theatre during its world premiere, bringing Angelina Jolie to tears.
Conclusion: I highly recommend this movie specially to opera lovers and to those that speak or read Italian. I agree with the 3 Star out of 5 Rating. Your 2 hours viewing time will not be wasted. This movie is now streaming on Netflix.
Meanwhile, Do you Know that December 7, 1941, marks one of the most pivotal moments in world history. On this day, the tranquil waters of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii were shattered by the unexpected attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service against the United States naval base. This attack not only led to the tragic loss of thousands of lives but also marked a significant turning point in World War II, reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the 20th century.
Lastly, Did you Know That:
Juan Luna was the first Filipino artist to gain international acclaim.
His masterpiece, Spoliarium, made history by winning a gold medal at the 1884 Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid, marking the Philippines’ debut on the global art stage.
This powerful painting, symbolizing the suffering of Filipinos under Spanish rule, became a symbol of our nation's pride and struggle.
Luna
was also the first Filipino artist to gain formal training in Europe, paving the way for future generations of Filipino artists.
Spoliarium continues to stand as a testament to our rich cultural heritage and the resilience of the Filipino spirit.
No comments:
Post a Comment